The South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol has declared martial law in an unannounced late-night TV address, accusing the country’s main opposition party of sympathizing with North Korea and indulging in anti-state activities. The President announced on Tuesday that he will rebuild a free and democratic country through the martial law.
Yoon did not say what measures would be taken. He cited a motion by the opposition Democratic Party, which has a majority in parliament, to impeach top prosecutors and reject a government budget proposal. “To safeguard a liberal South Korea from the threats posed by North Korea’s communist forces and to eliminate anti-state elements… I hereby declare emergency martial law,” Yoon said in the live televised address to the nation.
“This is an unavoidable measure to ensure the freedom and safety of the people and guarantee the sustainability of the nation against the unrest stirred by these subversive, anti-state elements.”
Han Dong-hoon, leader of the ruling conservative People Power Party, said in a statement he would “oppose the declaration of martial law alongside the people”. “The President’s declaration of martial law is wrong,” he asserted. The liberal opposition Democratic Party has also reportedly called an emergency meeting of its lawmakers following Yoon’s announcement.
South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol declared martial law on Tuesday for the first time in the country since 1980. These are the pointers of the current military decree.
1. All political activities, including the activities of the National Assembly, local councils, and political parties, political associations, rallies and demonstrations, are prohibited.
2. All acts that deny or attempt to overthrow the liberal democratic system are prohibited, and fake news, public opinion manipulation, and false propaganda are prohibited.
3. All media and publications are subject to the control of the Martial Law Command.
4. Strikes, work stoppages and rallies that incite social chaos are prohibited.
5. All medical personnel, including trainee doctors, who are on strike or have left the medical field must return to their jobs within 48 hours and work faithfully. Those who violate will be punished in accordance with the Martial Law.
6. Innocent ordinary citizens, excluding anti-state forces and other subversive forces, will be subject to measures to minimize inconvenience in their daily lives.
Violators of the above proclamation may be arrested, detained, and searched without a warrant in accordance with Article 9 of the Martial Law Act of the Republic of Korea (Special Measures Authority of the Martial Law Commander), and will be punished in accordance with Article 14 of the Martial Law Act (Penalties). As issued under martial Law Commander, Army General Park An-su, Tuesday, December 3, 2024.
